Why I'm running: I have always watched the Great North Run with pride at how great the north east looks on TV, and always said "one day!"

Until last September I hadn't ran in my life and I decided this was going to be my challenge for 2014! I decided to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance as they are a charity based right here in the North East - they are also my grandmothers favourite charity and she will be so proud if I complete the run.

She's recently taken ill and will no longer be able to come and spectate but she will be cheering my on from her chair! I've taken running on to the max competing in 10Ks and weekly park runs and I am proud of how far I have come on with a bit of dedication. I am scared but also really excited to complete the run on Sunday and I will be rewarding myself with a huge curry afterwards!

Why I'm running: I'm running my second Great North Run after enjoying doing it for the first time last year.

I am doing for it for charity again this year as it's one the biggest fundraising events. I'm running for MIND.

Number of GNRs I've taken part in: 1

Sponsor me: www.virginmoneygiving.com/IANWINDSOR

Bridgfords Estate Agents have slipped on their running shoes to take part in this years Great North Run in support of St Oswalds Hospice

Lettings Branch manager Jonathan Ayre of Newcastle

Why I'm running: Staff from Bridgfords Estate Agents have slipped on their running shoes to take part in this years Great North Run, in support of St Oswalds Hospice, based in Newcastle.

A team of 12 staff from branches throughout Tyne and Wear have pledged to raise money for the local charity, which provides care to adults, young people and children with life limiting illnesses.

I organised a team from Bridgfords to run in last years Great North Run, and wanted to do the same again this year with the aim to increase the amount of runners we had. When it came to deciding which charity to support, we thought St Oswalds would be perfect, as we had just chosen them as our charity of the year, and some of our colleagues have family members who have used the Hospices services. One colleagues Grandma had treatment there, and I know of others who have direct links.

We have set up a Bridgfords Just Giving page and are aiming to raise at least £3,000 through sponsorship for the Hospice.

This is the 8th time I have done the GNR, and I really want to complete it in less than 2 hours this time. My main aim though, is to beat my boss, North East Lettings Director Richard Coxon! I finished just minutes before him last time, so the pressure is on!

Number of GNRs I've taken part in: 7

David Banks in Gorilla costume, with colleagues from Kyles legal

Solicitor David Banks 55 of Whitley Bay

Why I'm running: A team of local solicitors from North Shields based Kyles Legal Practice are taking on this years Great North Run in support of St Oswalds Hospice.

The team of five, made up of David Banks, Annalisa Moscardini, Andrew Wraith, John Turner and Mark Styles, will take part in the iconic half marathon to raise money for the charity, which cares for local adults, young people and children. David Banks, 55, a Solicitor at Kyles Legal, is a long standing supporter of the Hospice and has previously been a member of the charitys Annual Ball Committee, completed past a Great North Runs and has taken on a Kilimanjaro Trek. In October this year David will trek to Iceland, to raise money for the Hospice. To add to the challenge, David will be running the 13 miles in a full gorilla costume, and decided to rope in his colleagues to join him.

He said "Ive had the costume for ages and my youngest son James did a zip slide for the Hospice while wearing it. I want to raise at least £500 if Im going to run in this suit! I got Team Kyles together to do the Great North Run for St Oswalds after supporting the charity for a number of years. Dressing up a George the Gorilla will hopefully get me a few extra sponsors and raise a few laughs along the way! "